In addition, according to the report, 2 percent milk was reported as the type of milk usually consumed by 45.4 percent of children and adolescents. And adolescents aged 12 – 19 years reported low-fat milk as their usual milk type more often than younger children aged 2 – 5 years.

As noted by USA Today, the research brief notes that drinking milk is important for children's bone health, but CDC experts advise that while young people need the calcium, vitamin D and other nutrients found in milk, children aged 2 and older should consume low-fat milk and milk products to avoid unnecessary fat and calories.

In summary, the authors say that “The overall low consumption of low-fat milk suggests the majority of children and adolescents do not adhere to recommendations by Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 and the American Academy of Pediatrics for all children aged 2 years and over to drink low-fat milk.”

The report is published in a September National Center for Health Statistics Data Brief.